Pain when swallowing in the esophagus is not a symptom that can be ignored. Usually discomfort and soreness when passing food and liquids in the stomach are associated with serious disruptions in the gastrointestinal tract. This can be inflammation, and a violation of the integrity of smooth muscles, and even cancer.
Causes of pain in swallowing in the esophagus
The pain in the esophagus during ingestion of food can be of an organic or functional nature. In the first case, we are talking about the narrowing of the esophagus due to chemical burns, a tumor, or a muscle spasm, polyps and hernias. In the second only the motor function of the organ is disturbed, its structure remains unchanged. In addition to pain, the patient may have dysphagia - the inability to swallow food, the sensation of a lump in the throat. The second characteristic symptom is pain behind the sternum. Here is a list of diseases that provoke dysphagia and severe pain in the esophagus during swallowing:
- reflux esophagitis ;
- functional disorders of the esophagus caused by nervous tension;
- achalasia of the esophagus;
- hernia of the esophageal opening of the diaphragm;
- diverticula of the esophagus ;
- esophageal carcinoma.
About Diseases - details
Only the doctor can make an accurate diagnosis, but there are reasons associated with pain in the esophagus when swallowing food in certain diseases. Cancer provokes bad habits, a love for acute and hot food, as well as a genetic predisposition. Functional disorders develop in nervous people, often - suffering from vegetovascular dystonia. Reflux esophagitis, that is, inflammation of the esophagus due to the reverse movement of food from the stomach into the esophagus, develops in pregnant women and those who are prone to constant overeating.
Diverticulum of the esophagus and achalasia of the esophagus - this changes in width in certain areas of the organ. They are provoked by high loads and diseases of smooth muscles. The best prevention of these pathologies is the transition to a warm puree food. Often, the esophagus recovers its normal width independently.